The Department of Homeland Security has decided to cut states some slack on implementing the so-called "Real ID" program.

According to a department press release, Homeland Security officials have extended the compliance date from May 2007 to the end of 2009 – and, states will be allowed to use Homeland Security grant money to pay for the program.

The controversial identification program is supposed to a biometric, more tamper-proof form of identification that requires more proof of identity to obtain.

However, a number of states have argued that they were being mandated to issue the cards without any financial help from the federal government.